What are you afraid of?

Text: Acts 24 (CSB)

INTRODUCTION — FEAR: THE INVISIBLE PRISON

Everyone fears something. • Some fear failure. • Some fear people’s opinions. • Some fear judgment. • Some fear the truth. • Some fear commitment.

Fear is one of Satan’s greatest tools—subtle, suffocating, and spiritually paralyzing.

Illustration: A study once showed that many circus elephants remain restrained by a small rope because they learned as babies they couldn’t break it. Fear kept them bound long after they had the power to walk free. Many Christians live the same way—bound by fears Christ already conquered.

Fear Factor- evidently, fear is not a factor for you!" - Joe Rogan

Acts 24 is a courtroom filled with fear: • The Jews feared losing influence. • Tertullus feared losing the case. • Felix feared losing power. • Paul alone feared God—and was therefore free from all other fears.

Big Idea: When you fear God most, you fear everything else least.

POINT 1 — Are You Afraid of What People Think? (vv.1–9)

Fear of man is a snare (Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.” ). In Acts 24, Paul’s accusers were driven by it.

A. They brought out the big guns — “Tertullus” (v.1)

• Tertullus was a highly skilled Roman-trained lawyer—essentially their “celebrity attorney.” • John Phillips: “When men cannot win by truth, they resort to theatrics.” • Jews hired a Gentile lawyer—showing how far fear can push compromise.

Historical Note: Roman courts loved rhetoric. Skilled orators often swayed verdicts more than facts.

B. Everyone likes to be flattered (vv.2–4)

Tertullus opens with honey, not truth.

i. “Great peace because of you” (v.2)

• Historically false — Felix was known for brutality, corruption, and unrest. • MacArthur: “This was blatant flattery. Felix had crushed uprisings ruthlessly, not peacefully.”

ii. “Most excellent Felix” (v.3)

• Same title used for Theophilus (Luke 1:3). • It was political posturing.

iii. “Be kind and listen” (v.4)

• This was manipulation disguised as respect.

Application: • Fear of people leads to compromise, dishonesty, and manipulation. • Ask: Whose approval do I crave? Whose rejection do I fear?

Quote: “If you fear God, you have no one else to fear.” — Charles Spurgeon

C. Nobody likes to be mocked (vv.5–9)

False accusations intended to ruin Paul’s reputation.

• Jesus faced false accusations (Matthew 26:60 “but they could not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward.).

• Peter: “If you suffer for doing good… rejoice” (1 Peter 4:14–16 “If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.” ).

i. “Paul is a plague” (v.5)

Meaning: a public menace, a disease. • Guzik: “When you cannot attack a man’s message, attack the man.”

ii. “Agitator” (v.5)

• They paint him as a political threat to Rome.

iii. “Ringleader of the sect” (v.5)

• Christianity dismissed as a dangerous cult. • Skip Heitzig: “Labeling Christians as a sect was Rome’s way of making persecution legal.”

iv. “He desecrated the temple” (v.6)

• Historically false — even Roman guards found Paul innocent (Acts 21:33).

Application: How do you respond when people misjudge you?

POINT 2 — You Don’t Have to Fear the Truth (vv.10–21)

Paul answers without fear because truth needs no props.

• Psalm 119:160 “The entirety of your word is truth, each of your righteous judgments endures forever.” — • John 8:32 “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””

A. What you say can be verified (v.11)

Paul appeals to facts: “You can verify this.” • Truth welcomes examination. • Lies rely on performance.

Historical Insight: Roman law required accusers to provide verifiable evidence. Felix knew the Jews had none.

B. You can prove what you have done (v.14)

Paul openly declares: “I worship the God of my ancestors… I believe everything written in the Law and the Prophets.”

• Not defensive—just truthful. • Lloyd-Jones: “The Christian is never afraid of the light; his faith rests upon facts.”

C. Let the accuser prove their case (vv.18–21)

Paul challenges them: show evidence. They can’t.

• Truth is fearless because it has nothing to hide. • Paul highlights the resurrection as the real issue (v.21).

Application: • Let your life be so clean the truth becomes your defense. • Keep your conscience clear (v.16)

Quote: “A clear conscience is the softest pillow.” — Unknown

POINT 3 — Fear Paralyzes (vv.22–27)

Felix is the picture of a man who knows the truth but refuses to act.

A. Paul preaches to a new audience (v.24)

Felix brings his wife Drusilla—a Jewish princess from Herod’s line.

Historical Note: • Drusilla was married to the king of Emesa when Felix seduced her through a magician. • Their marriage was scandalous, immoral, and politically motivated.

MacArthur: “Felix had political power but no moral backbone.”

B. Paul’s sermon outline (v.25)

Paul doesn’t flatter Felix—he fears God, not man.

i. Righteousness

• God’s holy standard • Something Felix lacked (Josephus called him “cruel, lustful, greedy”).

Romans 3:10–12 “as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.”

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;”

ii. Self-control

• Personal purity • Everything Felix and Drusilla rejected.

iii. Judgment to come

• Accountability before God- Hebrews 9:27 “And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—” — judgment is certain • The very thing Felix feared most.

Phillips: “Paul pressed home the truths Felix most needed and least wanted.”

C. Fear produces procrastination (v.25)

Felix trembled — but postponed responding.

“I’ll call for you when I have time.”

• Classic spiritual procrastination • Spurgeon: “Tomorrow is the devil’s day. Today is God’s.”

Procrastination is my sin

It brings me naught but sorrow.

I know that I should stop it

In fact, I will...tomorrow.

Felix was convicted but not converted.

D. Money cannot overcome fear (v.26)

Felix hoped for a bribe. • Corruption was his security blanket. • Fear kept him from surrendering to truth.

Historical Note: Felix was so corrupt that Rome removed him—even though he was the brother of the emperor’s favorite.

Application: • What are you delaying because of fear? • What truth has God repeated to you—but you still avoid? • What is fear costing you?

CONCLUSION — WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

Fear exposes what we worship. • The Jews feared losing power. • Tertullus feared losing the case. • Felix feared losing control. • Paul feared God—and therefore feared nothing else.

Illustration: When the great reformer Martin Luther stood before the emperor at Worms, accused and threatened with death, he said: “My conscience is captive to the Word of God. Here I stand; I can do no other.”

That is fearlessness rooted in truth.

Call to Action:

Surrender your fears to God today.

Stop fearing people—fear the Lord.

Stop delaying obedience—respond now.

Walk in the freedom that truth brings.

Final Quote: “He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.”